You don't need to be a lawyer - or to have followed a traditional technology path - to build a successful career in our Cyber Security team. If you are curious, motivated and want to help keep our confidential, commercially sensitive data safe, we'll support you to develop the technical skills you need to progress in a genuinely supportive and inclusive environment. 

About Addleshaw Goddard

At Addleshaw Goddard, we're proud to be a leading law firm trusted by thousands of organisations in over 100 countries. We believe results come from bringing together ambitious people who want to make a real impact; finding creative solutions that benefit our clients, our colleagues, and the communities around us.

Our efforts to create an environment where everyone can thrive have been recognised through numerous awards and top rankings. We've recently received awards for our outstanding training, peer support, innovation, gender equality, culture, and diversity – reflecting our ongoing commitment to excellence and inclusion.

About the role

This role is based in our Leeds office within our global IT team. The team is instrumental in ensuring our data is not at risk of data breaches or cyber-attacks. You don't need to have "done it all before" - we're looking for people with potential. Whether you're a recent graduate, have completed an industrial placement, have gained relevant experience alongside your studies, or are at the beginning of your Cyber Security career, we'll help you build confidence and capability across all areas of Cyber Security.

This is a non-rotational graduate scheme but your work will be varied, allowing you to build knowledge across:

• Security Policies and Procedures: Rules and guidelines explaining how to use computers securely, escalation methods, and how to handle sensitive information. This helps staff help protect the firm from threats.
• Risk Assessment: This is identifying and evaluating weaknesses that could be exploited by cyber attackers and recommending ways to reduce or manage risks, such as improving security measures or training staff.
• Security Systems: These are the tools and technologies used to protect the firm's computers, networks, and data. Examples include antivirus software, firewalls, and systems that prevent unauthorised access.
• Network Activity and Security Incidents: This involves monitoring the firm's computer network to spot unusual activity and quickly investigating and responding to threats, supporting future prevention.

The Cyber Security Graduate will support cyber security controls and processes, assisting to protect the firm's information assets and IT infrastructure against internal and external threats.

What we are looking for

There is no such thing as a ‘typical' Addleshaw Goddard candidate. As a firm, we are shaped by different perspectives, and we know our success depends on giving opportunities to people from a range of backgrounds, locations and perspectives.

As a Cyber Security Graduate at Addleshaw Goddard, a typical day might look like:

• You start your day by checking for any alerts from the security systems, helping monitor for unusual activity or potential threats. If there are any incidents, you'll support the investigation, gathering information, analysing and documenting findings.
• You take part in vulnerability scanning, working to identify weaknesses in the firm's systems and track progress as they are fixed.
• You review and help update security policies and procedures, making sure rules and guidelines are effective.
• In collaboration with IT teams, you make sure computers and systems are set up securely and maintained.
• Later, you spend time researching the latest cyber security threats and trends, sharing what you learn with the team.
• You will focus on your learning and development by attending training sessions or shadowing colleagues.
• In this role, you will spend time collaborating with colleagues across the firm, asking questions, and contributing ideas to help keep Addleshaw Goddard's systems and data safe.

There are some qualities we would like you to bring to this role. Please don't be discouraged if you don't meet every requirement listed. If you're excited about Cyber Security and believe you can contribute to the team, we'd love to hear from you. We are committed to developing talent and will invest in building your skills and experience.

• Motivation: You have a desire to succeed and build a long-term career within Cyber Security. You have an understanding of security principles and an awareness of common cyber threats and attack vendors.
• Prior Experience: Experience gained through an industrial placement, internship, part-time role, service desk position, university project or other exposure to a business or IT environment would be beneficial, but we recognise that candidates develop skills through many different routes and do not expect applicants to have extensive professional experience.
• Strong Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: You enjoy working with people and can explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences. You are confident building relationships with colleagues and adapting your communication style to different stakeholders.
• Team Player: You enjoy working with others and helping the team achieve its goals.
• Organised: You keep track of your tasks and can manage your time well, even when things get busy.
• Problem Solver: You like to manage projects, find proactive solutions and try new ways of working.
• Attention to Detail: You check your work to make sure information is accurate and nothing is missed.
• Willing to Learn: You're open to learning new skills, including using new technology, software and AI tools over time.
• Analytical: You have an analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data or trends.

What you can expect

With Addleshaw Goddard, you can expect a supportive team culture, a flexible, friendly and state-of-the-art working environment, and an attractive salary and benefits package.

You can expect:

• A supportive team culture, where questions are encouraged and you're given time to learn
• Access to healthcare, mental health support, and wellbeing and lifestyle initiatives
• Family‑friendly policies and support for those with caring responsibilities
• Clear development pathways, with mentoring and guidance from experienced Cyber Security professionals and access to a Development Pathway via our Early Careers programme.

For the role of Cyber Security Graduate, we will reward you with a first-year salary of £26,000.

We operate a hybrid working model, requiring employees to attend the office for a minimum 3 days per week, with the remaining days available for remote working. Specific office attendance requirements may vary by role and business needs. Please note that this role is strictly based in our Leeds office and is unable to be based from any of our other UK offices. 

To be eligible for the role, you must have achieved a 2:1 degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering or closely related technical subject. 

We encourage applications from those with knowledge or experience of Cyber Security qualifications (independent or via institution), or those with relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+, SSCP).

Eligibility & Recruitment Process

The recruitment process is made up of three steps:

1. Application Form: You start by filling in an online form with your details, such as your education, work experience, and why you want the job. Please note that applications will go live on Monday 12 October and will close on Monday 9 November.
2. First stage interview and in-tray exercise: Following an initial screening process, shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview with a panel, including the Senior Cyber Security Manager. Alongside the interview, candidates will complete an in-tray exercise which has been designed to test your technical abilities.  Candidates will discuss their approach to the in-tray exercise within the interview.  The interview will focus on personal skills and technical ability. The provisional date for the first stage is Monday 23 November, although this may be subject to change. 
3. Second stage interview: Applicants who perform well during the previous stage will be invited to attend a second stage interview with senior members of the Cyber Security and IT Operations team. The second stage interview will drill deeper into skills and attributes required to be a successful Cyber Security professional, as well as assessing your technical ability. The provisional date for the second stage is Monday 30 November, although this may be subject to change. 

The recruitment process is designed to assess your potential, not just what you already know. We provide clear guidance at each stage, and we welcome requests for adjustments to make the process fair and accessible. 

Please note, we may close applications earlier if we receive a high volume of applications, so we recommend that you apply early.

If you have applied for and participated in the Cyber Security Graduate Scheme recruitment process at Addleshaw Goddard between April-August 2026, please note that you are not eligible for consideration in this recruitment round.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to attracting talent from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We particularly welcome applications from groups currently under-represented within the Cyber Security and technology sectors. We are committed to building a diverse team at all levels and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

All offers of employment are subject to right to work in the UK. If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please indicate this in your application. We assess applications based on merit and suitability for the role, regardless of immigration status.

This role will begin in January 2027 (or sooner) so we are unable to accept applications from undergraduate students who will graduate in summer 2027.